Illuminated signs



P 1958 A. SAUER Y 2,850,823

ILLUMINATED SIGNS Filed Aug. 19, 1954 .40 -V Fl 6. 5 INVENTOR.

LLOYD A. SAUER AT-ro RB: EYV) United States Patent Corporation, Milwaukee, cousin Application August 19, 1954, Serial No. 450,831

1 Claim. (Cl. 40-130) Wis., assignor to Display Wis., a corporation of Wis- This invention relates to improvements in signs of the type employing opaque symbols on a translucent interiorly illuminated panel.

One object of this invention is to provide such a sign the symbols on which may be visible from opposite sides and from directly forward of such sign.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sign with symbols so visible which has the forward edge of the panel completely illuminated without shadow.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a sign the panels of which appear to have no side frames whereby the opaque symbols seem to be suspended in an unframed background of light.

These objects are obtained by mounting raised opaque letters, symbols or other indicia on the opposite sides or panels of a translucent member illuminated from the interior thereof. The sides or panels of such member are connected at their forward edges by a translucent nose or bridge of the same material. The sides or panels diverge from such nose at a wide enough angle to permit an observer positioned across the street from the forward edge of the sign to read the indicia on both sides or panels. This angle is not so wide that the symbols cannot be read when viewed from the side of the street on which the sign is placed. Hence, a two paneled sign interiorly illuminated serves the multiple purpose of providing advertising display to people up and down the street and people across the street or on opposite corners of an intersection.

A specific embodiment of this invention is described in the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a sign embodying the invention mounted on the corner of a building;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of such sign taken from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of such sign taken from the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, the illuminated sign is shown secured to the corner of a building 10 so that its central bisecting plane is substantially at 45 angles with respect to each side of the building. The sign may be mounted in any manner well known to those skilled in this art. By way of example, it is held by upper and lower channel-like members 12 and 14 the ends of which are anchored to the walls by angles and bolts or like fastening means. Depending upon the size of the sign additional bracing may be employed. All exposed structural parts may be covered with stainless steel sheathing.

In this exemplification the translucent member is formed from an acrylic resin plastic sheet of suflicient Patented Sept. 9, 19 58 length to extend from channel member 14 to channel member 12. The sheet is properly heated and bent about a support to make a nose 16 of arcuate shape from which sides or panels 18 diverge outwardly and rearwardly. A feature of this invention is the provision of a sufficient angle between the panels or sides 18 so that when the sign is viewed from a position directly opposite the nose 16 any symbols or indicia on the sides 18 are readable, as is shown in Fig. 2. Also this angle is not so great that the indicia on a panel cannot be read when viewed from the sam'e side of the street as that on which the sign is placed. Because the translucent material extends around the nose 16 and because there is no inner supporting members within such nose, the nose will transmit light from'within with the same intensity and even distribution as the panels or sides 18. Hence there will be no shadow and an effect is created which makes opaque symbols on the panels or sides 18 appear to be suspended in an unframed panel of light from all observable directions.

This pleasing effect may be enhanced by rounding the inner ends of the panels or sides 18 to form corners 20 and back wings 22 (see Fig. 6). Such corner forming is done in a manner similar to the forming of the nose 16. With such corners the interior light is transmitted evenly all the way to the innermost edge of the panels or sides 18 without creation of shadow.

There are various well-known methods of securing the translucent member to the channels 12 and 14. In this embodiment nose blocks 24 of the same material are cemented to the inside of the nose 16 at top and bottom. These blocks are then fastened to the ends of channels 12 and 14 by screws or bolts and nuts indicated at 26 to secure the nose of such member on the rear of the member. The edges of the wings 22 have cemented to the inner faces thereof longitudinally extending cleats 28 (see Fig. 6). These cleats fit into vertical metal channels 30 which are welded at top and bottom to transverse channels 32 attached to the bottom of member 12 and the top of member 14. This framework provides vertical support through the height of the sign and provides a rear opening. Vertical clamps 34 are attached to the transverse channels 32 and have tongues overlapping the edges of the wings 22 to hold the cleats 28 securely in the channels 30.

Light tubes indicated generally at 36 of well-known design are held in standard receptacles carried on the members 12 and 14. While three such tubes are shown, with larger signs more may be used to attain even distribution of light on the inner surface of the translucent member. The tubes may be replaced through the rear opening.

On the face of the panels or sides 18 in raised relation thereto are cemented opaque symbols or letters 38. These letters or symbols may be colored to suit and will be thus visible during the day.

It is practical to cover the top and bottom and rear opening of the sign. Top and bottom plates 40 of stainless steel sheet have a peripheral flange overlying the edges of the translucent member to form a seal and make a frame. These plates are secured in suitable manner to the members Hand 14. A back plate 42 of stainless steel sheet rests flatly against the vertical clamps 34 and is attached theretoby screws 44 to cover the rear opening. It may be easily removed to replace the tubes 36.

While in this embodiment the translucent member is made from a single sheet of material, this feature is not essential. There may be several separate panels cemented at unobstrusive places, and the cemented seams may be hidden by decorative metal bands or the like.

When the sign is lighted, the symbols on the panels 18 appear to be suspended in a frarneless background light which gives a unique and pleasing effect.

I claim:

An illuminated sign including: a frame comprising upper and lower members, translucent nose blocks at the 5 outer ends of said members, spaced vertical channels extending between the inner ends of said members; a source of light carried by said frame; and a translucent member having a curved vertical nose and divergent sides enclosing said source of light without any part of said 10 frame positioned between said source and said nose and side whereby said nose and sides evenly transmit light over the areas of both, said nose at the top and bottom of said translucent member being attached to said translucent blocks, opaque symbols on said sides, both 15 said divergent sides and said opaque symbols being visi- 4 ble from a position opposite said nose, said sides having inwardly curved corners at the edges thereof opposite said nose which receive light from said source without shadow in the same manner as said nose, said curved corners having edges secured to said vertical channels to hold said translucent member in place.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,188,404 Hengel Jan. 30, 1940 2,426,163 Booth Aug. 26, 1947 2,505,673 Howenstine Apr. 25, 1950 2,626,473 Howenstine Jan. 27, 1953 2,644,935 Greenwald July 7, 1953 2,693,657 Dwinell Nov. 9, 1954 

